Madison serves as therapist for residents at the Rhode Island Veterans' Home in Bristol.

BRISTOL — Nine-pound Madison pranced into the Rhode Island Veterans' Home Blue Room on her pink leash and lifted spirits on Tuesday morning. The 17-week-old teething havanese evoked smiles and laughter from several veterans as she nibbled, licked and pawed their fingers and hands.

Madison is already a well-known treat to veterans, although she started coming around in the beginning of March.

Navy veteran Michael Thomson could not help but stop in the Blue Room for a touch, while driving by in his wheel chair.

"She is excellent therapy for residents. Their eyes light up when they see her and remember their dogs," he said. "I wish more people would bring their pets in."

Madison is more than a pet, though. She is a specially trained dog, owned by Veterans' Home clinical social worker Gail Reynolds, in the midst of 24 weeks worth of Community College of Rhode Island courses that will certify her as a "pet-assisted therapy dog."

Associate director of veterans' affairs William Camara said dogs like Madison are part of a new, in-house system of care for the next generation of veterans, in lieu of old fashion sing-a-longs. He said the Army uses pet therapy dogs for soldiers on the front combat lines in Iraq.

"Kids coming back go from the battle field one day to McDonald's with their friends the next. There is no down time like there used to be. Everything is so fast now," he said alluding to soldiers' inherent post-war anxiety.

Mr. Camara said this modern method to relieve stress and anxiety provides "tactile stimulation" for veterans of all ages at the Home.

The stimulation was evident in the Blue Room all morning, as the veterans didn't want to see Madison leave.

Joan Blatte, a Navy veteran, and her husband Bill said Madison is very cute and they like when she comes around. Veteran James Scott loves to scrap with her and said she's cute.

"I've always had a dog. I love dogs," he said.

Similarly, veteran and dog lover John Lubera said Madison is nice, even though she's a nibbler, and makes him reminisce about his golden retriever.

The home is not a place of separation for all veterans and their dogs.

Mr. Camara said certain residents can have their own pets if they're properly maintained. He said other dogs that have frequented the home to provide less formal therapy over the past several years are favorites Bently, Jack and Lillah, and a sundry of types, including a cocker spaniel, German Shepherd, chocolate labrador and Newfoundland.

By Jeremy Rosen

jrosen@eastbaynewspapers.com

Want your pet to make a difference?

To have your pet certified for pet assisted therapy, contact Pearl Salotto at 734-1888. The next series of classes start July 7 and run Monday mornings from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at CCRI's Providence campus. People may also register on campus through office lifelong learning and visit djppat.com for more information.